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Save-A-Lot to Anchor Binghampton Retail Center

Save-A-Lot Food Stores is the anchor tenant for the Binghampton Grocery Center, a new shopping complex at the corner of Sam Cooper Boulevard and Tillman Street developed by the Binghampton Development Corp.

The overall 48,565-square-foot project will bring 50 new jobs with 30 of them going to the 16,300-square-foot grocery store. A job training program will be instituted to serve Binghampton residents.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and continue until summer 2017.

The store’s design will stand out from its standard stores and will “reflect the historical character of the Broad Avenue district,” according to a statement from the BDC. The store will feature an urban design and be easily accessible to Memphians on foot, using the new MATA bus stop or passing through while cycling the Binghampton Hampline, which will stretch from Downtown to Germantown.

Outdoor patio space is also planned for the finished development.

In August 2014, the BDC purchased a blighted apartment community that it later demolished to make way for the shopping center. With the grocery store in place, further tenants for the 10,000-square-foot value store and 7,240 square feet of local tenants will fall into place as more leases are signed in the coming months.

Fleming & Associates is the project architect and Kimley Horn & Associates is serving as project engineer. Linkous Construction will be the general contractor. Steve Bowie and Shawn Massey with The Shopping Center Group represented the Binghampton Development Corp. in negotiations with Save-A-Lot. Frank Dyer with Loeb Realty Group represented the tenant in the transaction.

This is the first success story for the Community Builder PILOT, a new tax incentive provided by the Memphis-Shelby County Economic Development Growth Engine. In October 2015, the EDGE board awarded the BDC a property tax reduction estimated to save $1.86 million over 15 years.

– Madeline Faber

Airport Passengers Up 6 Percent in December

Passengers at Memphis International Airport increased for the sixth consecutive month in December, according to a report at last week’s Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority board meeting.

In December 2015, 156,933 local passengers used airport compared to 148,137 passengers in December 2014, a 5.9 percent increase.

The number of total passengers from July to December rose 10.8 percent compared to the same period in 2014. Combined load factors continued to exceed 80 percent in December, added Forrest Artz, the airport authority’s vice president of finance and CFO.

At the same meeting, MSCAA president and CEO Scott Brockman announced that Memphis International will roll out a global entry program office by the end of February. The offering from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol will allow frequent international travelers fast-track entry. The office will be located next to the TSA Precheck office in the connector between the B and C ticket lobbies.

In other airport news, American Airlines is upsizing its aircraft for its service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The larger 63-seat CRJ700s and 80-seat E175s will add 25 percent more capacity as well as a first-class seating option. The new jets will begin serving daily flights in April.

– Madeline Faber

Overton Park Conservancy Sets First Public Hearing

The first public meeting in Overton Park’s traffic and parking study is Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The 6 p.m. session includes a presentation on the guiding principles for the process and then public comments.

A trio of consulting firms led by Looney Ricks Kiss is conducting the study, agreed to by all of the park’s entities and institutions as well as the conservancy.

The second public meeting will be Feb. 18, also at the Brooks at 6 p.m. It will include some tentative design concepts for public review.

– Bill Dries

Domino's Raises Record Amount for St. Jude

Domino’s Pizza raised $5.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the 2015 St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign.

2015 marked the first year of the pizza company’s commitment to raise $35 million in eight years. The 2015 St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign was the fourth straight record-setting campaign for Domino’s. Once again, Domino’s matched all customer contributions dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $250,000.

Since naming St. Jude its national charitable partner in 2004, Domino’s has raised more than $30.5 million for the hospital. The funds raised in 2015 will apply to Domino’s $35 million commitment.

– Andy Meek

One & Only BBQ to Build Agricenter-Area Location

One & Only BBQ is building a Cordova location, according to a construction permit filed for a new building at 153 Timber Creek Drive across from the Agricenter.

ProLogis Sells 90M Square Feet of Property

ProLogis has unloaded nearly 90 million square feet of its industrial holdings in six separate deals.

ProLogis, working under a number of affiliated names, sold multiple properties – including two warehouses housing Cummins Inc.’s distributions operations – to Exeter Property Group, according to warranty deeds signed Dec. 29. They include:

The group also optioned a parcel of vacant land on the east side of Getwell Road, just north of the Tennessee-Mississippi state line.

In conjunction with the sale, Exeter 4155 Quest LLC filed a $61.5 million construction mortgage with Bank of America,

On Jan. 15, Exeter Property Group sold 13 Memphis industrial properties for a combined $143.3 million – part of a massive deal in which Exeter sold its U.S. industrial portfolio to a joint venture of Henley Holding Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, one of the largest Canadian pension investment managers. Exeter invested in the joint venture and will continue to manage the properties. The Dec. 29 purchases were not part of the larger deal.

– Madeline Faber

Mid-South Mayors to Host RegionSmart Summit

More than 200 local leaders from the government, economic development, planning, architecture and engineering sectors will come together this April to collaborate on the challenges and opportunities confronting the Mid-South right now.

The RegionSmart summit, organized by the Mid-South Mayors Council, will be held April 28 at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education in Downtown Memphis. Specific topics to be explored include: Demographic Shifts and its Impact on the Delta Economy; Education & Workforce Development; Placemaking, City Building, and Suburban Retrofitting; Regional Transportation; and Building a Healthy Mid-South.

“Many of the cities and counties in the Mid-South see the potential to more effectively and responsibly develop if we are more purposeful about how we collaborate,” Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, one of the summit’s hosts, said in a statement. “Fostering that collaboration is what we hope RegionSmart will achieve.”

The Mid-South Mayor’s Council was initiated in 2013 by ULI Memphis, the local chapter of the Urban Land Institute, to focus regional conversations and collaboration opportunities among city and county mayors in the metro Memphis area.

– Kate Simone

FedEx Authorizes Buyback of 25 Million Shares

FedEx Corp. has authorized a new share buyback program of up to 25 million shares of the company’s common stock.

Since fiscal year 2014, FedEx has returned nearly $8 billion to shareowners through the repurchase of more than 57 million shares, FedEx CEO Fred Smith said in a release.

No time limit was set for the completion of the buyback program.

The prior buyback authorization announced in September 2014 for 15 million shares has been completed and there are 272 million common shares outstanding as of Jan. 25, 2016.

“Our profit and cash flow performance is strong, and we will continue to fund substantial investments in the business,” Smith said.

– Madeline Faber

Stoney River Steakhouse Opens in Saddle Creek

J. Alexander’s Holdings Inc. has announced the opening of its 11th Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill in the Saddle Creek development in Germantown.

The new Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill at 7515 Poplar Ave. includes 7,875 square feet with seating for up to 250 guests and will employ an operating staff of about 100 full- and part-time professionals.

The menu will have an emphasis on hand-cut steaks, including a coffee-cured filet, bone-in ribeye and classic New York strip steak, and entrees ranging from pasta and chicken to shrimp and salmon.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., including a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stoney River’s full-service bar will feature cocktails and more than 30 wines by the glass and more than 120 different bottles.

– Andy Meek

Memphis Sends 12,000 Bottles of Water To Flint

The city of Memphis, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division and FedEx Corp. are sending 12,000 bottle of Memphis water to a food bank in Flint, Michigan.

The donation – announced Tuesday, Jan. 26 – is being coordinated by The New Tri-State Defender newspaper.

It follows a lead contamination crisis in Flint’s water supply.

FedEx Corp. is transporting the water to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, which is distributing the water to Flint residents.

New Tri-State Defender publisher Bernal Smith approached city leaders about the effort.

“I would hope that if Memphis was suffering like Flint, other cities would reach out to us as well,” Smith said in a written statement.

The 12-piece Valentine’s Sweetheart Collection, which retails for $39, includes six unique flavors, such as apricot gorgonzola dolce and bourbon pecan.

In the coming weeks, both luxury retailers will begin selling the Phillip Ashley Signature Collection online, and Ashley’s Posh Pralines Collection will be exclusively sold under the Neiman Marcus brand.

Ashley, in a statement, called the two retailers “the perfect fit for my chocolates and brand.”

The announcement comes a week after news that Ashley has been named the official chocolatier of the 58th Annual Grammy Awards Gift Lounge and his 23-karat gold salted caramel pecan praline – a $79 praline that’s laced with gold leaf and finished with gold dust on top – will be a featured parting gift for Grammy guests.

– Kate Simone

Fitch Rates County 2016 Refunding Bonds at AA

Fitch Ratings, one of the big three bond rating agencies, has given $73.8 million of general obligation refunding bonds by Shelby County government a AA+ rating.

The 2016 series is expected to sell Feb. 3 in a negotiated sale.

The bonds will be used to refund outstanding county government general obligation debt.

– Bill Dries

Wheel Distributor WSD Comes to Memphis

Wheel and tire distributor WSD Inc. has signed a 25,386-square-foot lease in the Outland Business Park. The lease at 4995 Outland Center Drive, suite 107, commenced on Jan. 1.

4895-4995 Outland Center Drive LLC, an entity of Huntington Industrial Partners, purchased Outland Business Park in 2013 for $12 million. In 2015, Huntington made a run at gaining tax abatements to develop the former Mall of Memphis site into a speculative industrial park; after failing to secure the abatements, they sold the 113-acre site.

– Madeline Faber

Metropolitan Bank Reports Strong Fourth Quarter, 2015

Metropolitan Bank, which has co-headquarters in Memphis and in Ridgeland, Mississippi, kicks off its eighth year in operation with strong earnings for the fourth quarter, a period when the bank inched just shy of $1 billion in assets, among other highlights.

During the quarter ended Dec. 31, Metropolitan’s profit was $1.7 million, up 14 percent over the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year, profit was $6.3 million, up 21 percent over 2014.

Total assets grew 6 percent year over year to $990 million.

Loan production grew steadily throughout 2015, the bank says, and hit its highest level during the fourth quarter, with $136 million in originations.

– Andy Meek

New Health Clinic Opening Next Week

The Your Community Health and Wellness Primary Care Center will provide primary care services for the Pine Hill Community and beyond. Among other things, the center will offer nutrition classes, diabetes and hypertension classes, smoking cessation classes, care coordination and more.

First Pharmacy Services Inc. will also be co-located at the site, so consumers will be able to take care of their pharmaceutical needs on-site or have the option of having medications delivered to their home.

The grand opening for the center will be Monday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. Free flu shots will be provided for anyone in attendance.

– Andy Meek

Washington Hospital Now Using VeinViewer

Pullman Regional Hospital in Pullman, Washington, is now using Christie VeinViewer Vision2 technology.

VeinViewer Vision2 uses harmless near-infrared light to detect patient veins and then projects a real-time, high definition image of the vein pattern directly on the skin surface so providers can quickly find more options for accessing a patient’s veins. The non-invasive, hands-free device is designed to move around beds; it’s portable and on wheels so it can be moved throughout hospital departments.

The company says the technology makes venipuncture not only easier but increases first-stick success by up to 100 percent. As part of the Washington hospital’s focus on children’s health, the hospital says the technology will be particularly helpful when drawing blood or inserting an IV on a child, which can be difficult for reasons that include smaller veins, subcutaneous fat and greater elasticity of skin.

The technology can also be used on all patients, including adults who may have small or hard to find veins.

– Andy Meek

Halloran Centre Hosts Renowned Pianist

The Orpheum Theatre’s Halloran Centre is hosting famed pianist/composer Robin Spielberg for a one-night-only show the night before Valentine’s Day.

The event is set for Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, 225 S. Main St., adjacent to the Orpheum.

Since her debut recording of original piano solos, “Heal of the Hand,” Spielberg has 16 recordings to her credit, appears on more than 40 compilations from around the world and has sold hundreds of thousands of recordings. Her discography includes albums of original piano solos, arrangements of American standards, original pieces for piano/ensemble, holiday recordings and an album of lullabies.

Mike Conley Directs $15K to Sickle Cell Center

Conley is a long-time supporter of Methodist Healthcare Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, which runs a preventive outpatient clinic and Memphis’ first dedicated emergency infusion unit for sickle cell patients. The center is focused on delivering treatment advances through on-site research.

Orion has been active in the community and in 2015 Orion employees logged more than 300 volunteer hours, sponsored 22 local events and donated critical funding to 27 local groups.

– Don Wade

Tenn. Unemployment Rate Up Slightly in December

Tennessee’s preliminary unemployment rate in December was 5.6 percent, up slightly from November’s rate of 5.5 percent, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate in December was 5.0 percent, unchanged from the previous month.

Both statewide and nationally, unemployment is lower than the same time a year ago, when Tennessee’s rate was 6.6 percent and the U.S. rate was 5.6 percent.

The state’s nonfarm employment increased 19,400 jobs from November to December, with the largest increases in administrative/support/waste services, trade/transportation/utilities and education/health services. Over the year, nonfarm employment increased 64,900 jobs.

– Kate Simone

Police Department Takes PST Applications

The Memphis Police Department is taking applications through Feb. 8 for the return of police service technicians to the department.

The application process includes two written exams on basic reading comprehension and problem solving and a 1.5-mile run that must be completed in 15 minutes or less as well as a physical ability test.

The PSTs, as they were known in the 1980s, are returning as a way of handling the drop in police ranks in recent years.

The technicians would direct traffic and take accident reports as well as other clerical and support functions, freeing up uniformed police officers to answer calls.

The PST applications are available at police headquarters on the 12th floor of the Criminal Justice Center, 201 Poplar Ave., any of the 10 Memphis police stations or the Memphis Police Training Academy, 4371 O.K. Robertson Road.

The city plans to begin the first recruit class May 30.

– Bill Dries

Tigers’ Burrell Earns AAC Recognition

University of Memphis senior guard Trahson Burrell was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, January 25.

Burrell averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7 assists per game during the week. He shot 50 percent (14-of-28) from the field, 40 percent (4-of-10) from long range, and 71 percent (5-of-7) from the free-throw line and also added a block and a steal.

Against Cincinnati he scored a career-high 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out five assists. He shot 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the field, 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) from long range, and all four of his free throw tries against the Bearcats.

He flirted with a triple-double against East Carolina with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, and hit 6-of-15 from the field (40 percent.

For the season, Burrell averages 10.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while standing second on the team with 47 total assists. He is shooting 45.4 percent from the field (69-of-152), and 78 percent (40-of-51) from the foul line.

– Don Wade

Applications Open for Start Co. Accelerator Slots

The window is open now for entrepreneurs to apply for $25,000 in investment capital and a spot in one of the Start Co. organization’s three startup accelerators.

Program dates for the trio of early-stage technology startup accelerator programs running this summer are May 2 through August 11. The deadline to apply is March 1.

The accelerators are Seed Hatchery, which focuses on business-to-business enterprises; Upstart, which focuses on women-led ventures; and Sky High, which focuses on ventures that make a social impact.

During the accelerators, participating teams will use a combination of the investment capital plus hands-on instruction from mentors and business leaders to refine the ideas for their ventures. The goal is that by the end of the program, they’ll have an idea they can pitch to potential investors at a “Demo Day” and hopefully take their ventures to the next level.

– Andy Meek

2 Men Sentenced For Defrauding Memphis VA

Federal prosecutors say two men have been sentenced to prison for defrauding the Memphis VA Medical Center of more than $1 million.

The U.S. attorney’s office said Monday that Andre Reddix and Ronnie White pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy in September. White received two years and six months in prison on Dec. 11. Reddix received the same sentence Thursday, Jan. 21. The men were each ordered to pay back more than $1.1 million.

Prosecutors said Reddix was a VA employee whose duties included using a company credit card to buy supplies.

In August 2007, Reddix created false purchase orders for White’s company, White Pharmaceuticals, while White made fake invoices matching the purchase orders.

Reddix used the credit card to pay White, and the men split payments from more than 300 fraudulent transactions.

– The Associated Press

Int'l Blues Challenge Underway in Memphis

Musicians from around the world flocked to Memphis this week for The Blues Foundation’s 32nd International Blues Challenge.

The event – which runs through Saturday, Jan. 30 – is the world’s largest gathering of blues acts, according to the Memphis-based foundation, and represents an international search by the foundation and its affiliated organizations for solo/duo acts and blues bands ready to take the international stage.

Beale Street is ground zero for most of the events, with clubs on and around Beale hosting daily showcases, jam sessions and other events. The blues challenge moves to The Orpheum Theatre on Saturday for the finals and a silent auction.

– Kate Simone

Memphis QB Great Fletcher Passes Away at Age 72

Billy Fletcher, considered one of the top quarterbacks in the history of University of Memphis football, died on Monday, Jan. 25, at the Baptist-Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville at the age of 72.

A Memphis native, Fletcher was a standout prep quarterback at South Side High School prior to signing a scholarship with Ole Miss in 1962. After one season with the Rebels, Fletcher transferred to then-Memphis State University and played for three years under former head coach Billy J. Murphy.

As a junior, Fletcher led the team in rushing with 367 yards and in scoring with 49 points. He threw for 921 yards and seven touchdowns, returned 16 kickoffs for 389 yards and booted a school record 50-yard field goal against West Texas. In total, Fletcher broke nine records during his junior season.

In his final campaign, the first season that the Tigers played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (previously named Memphis Memorial Stadium), the multi-threat quarterback threw for 1,239 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushed for 556 yards and six scores and kicked 24 PATs. He became the first Memphis quarterback to pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season, and by the end of the 1965 season, had set 15 Memphis football records.In 1965 against nationally ranked Mississippi State, Fletcher led the Tigers to a 33-13 win over the undefeated Bulldogs and for his play was named the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated National Back of the Week.

Fletcher was drafted by the Denver Broncos, then of the old American Football League (AFL), and after a stint in pro football returned to Memphis to start a career in the metal supply business.

He was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 1985, received the Hall of Fame’s Billy J. Murphy Award in 1996, was named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and was inducted into the All-American Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2002.

– Don Wade

Verso Has Agreement With Creditors on Reorganization

The day after Verso Corp. filed for bankruptcy reorganization in Delaware, the Memphis-based printing and specialty paper producer said it had reached an agreement with its creditors on the company’s reorganization.

Verso executives announced Wed., Jan. 27, the agreement with creditors holding a majority of the principal amount of virtually all of the tranches of funded debt of Verso and its subsidiaries.

Verso also has agreement, subject to bankruptcy court approval, of its debtor-in-possession financing package.

That package is up to $600 million, which is key to the restructuring of the company’s finances while allowing Verso to continue to operate on a day-to-day basis.

– Bill Dries

Landmark Commits $50K To Soulsville Finance Program

Landmark Community Bank has committed $50,000 to support the “Money Matters” program at the Soulsville Charter School in south Memphis.

The program began as a lower-level elective and is now a mandatory prerequisite course for seniors, with students creating a personal financial plan while learning about money and budgeting; credit, interest and other banking concepts; investing and entrepreneurship, among other things.

“We saw the results that Soulsville is delivering and asked what we could to do help,” said Landmark President and CEO Jake Farrell in a release about the news. “The program has exceeded our expectations, both in substance and in outcomes, and that will have a big impact on these students’ lives as they enter college and then the workforce.”

Landmark is a Collierville-based bank with seven branches in the Memphis and Nashville metro areas.

– Andy Meek

Sutton Reid Finalist for Reed Awards

The Memphis ad agency that worked on the 2015 mayoral campaign of Jim Strickland is a finalist for three Reed Awards, given nationally by the political trade publication Campaigns & Elections.

Sutton Reid Advertising is nominated in two television categories and one radio category with the winners to be announced Feb. 18 at the awards ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina.

The “Friday Night Lights” TV commercial is a finalist for Best Television for Local, County or Judicial Candidate and Most Effective Comparative Television Ad.

The “Good News” radio ad is a finalist for the Best Radio Ad in the mayoral candidate category. Both ads were created by firm principal Steven Reid.

The 2016 nominations mark the third year Sutton Reid has been a finalist in the radio category.

Optometry Student to Lead National Group

Southern College of Optometry student Erick Henderson is the 2016-17 president of the American Optometric Student Association.

He got the nod during the organization’s annual board of trustees meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, earlier this month.

Henderson is the 49th student to serve as president of the AOSA. With his term beginning in March, Henderson’s duties as president will include working with the executive council and the executive director to advise the board of trustees, appoint committee chairpersons and national liaisons, and facilitate the development of programs to benefit the association and its members. Henderson will also represent AOSA at affiliated meetings and serve as national liaison to the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Another SCO student, Hunter Chapman, served as the 2015-16 AOSA president.

– Andy Meek

Memphis Doctors Take Part in New Leadership Lab

Eight Memphis doctors are among 29 statewide participating in the Tennessee Medical Association’s inaugural Physician Leadership Lab, a training program to help them become quality leaders in team-based health care settings.

The multi-month lab, which focuses on the “lean healthcare” model and includes a mix of webinars and in-person classes, is a partnership between the TMA and theTennessee Medical Education Fund Inc.

As part of the course, each participant will implement an improvement project in his or her own practice using the skills learned in the lab.